C-section Second Time Around

Yes, my second was a drug-free VBAC. I couldn't be more happy with my vaginal birth! Contact ICAN - they are a great support group.

A lot has to do with your particular reason for having had a c-section in the first place. And a lot has to do with the hospital's malpractice insurance, and also your ob's malpractice insurance.

Just don't expect what your ob says to be gospel if he or she says early on that you might be able to have a vbac. Things can change, and that doesn't mean it is your fault or your doctor's.

And try not to let it ruin your birth experience if you don't get your vbac. I read on here posts about women feeling like they "failed" because they didn't have a "real" birth. I think that thinking is just awful, and minimizes who we are as women and mothers. And I also thinks it's beyond rude to say that to women who have been unable to have children at all. Blech!

So, roll with things, be a partner with your doctor in your care, and things will work out the way they are supposed to.

Good luck, and congrats on the baby!
Dawn

My first was a C-Section and second was a Vbac. The recovery was much easier w/ the vaginal delivery. I was scared to try the Vbac but I had a very good doctor...we ended up having to use the vacuum to assist in the delivery but it was so worth it. Personally, I felt like it was a huge accomplishment to actually deliver my second child instead of the Csection again. You will not believe how different the recovery is...you are a bit sore but nothing like recovering from major surgery like the Csection. I'm sure your doctor will not let you attempt the vaginal delivery unless he/she feels that it is safe for you and the baby. In my case, the first was delivered by C becasue after 24 hours of labor and 2 hrs of pushing, she went into distress...come to find out her umbilical cord was about 4 inches too short so that is why my first was a C.
Good luck to you--you will not believe the difference.

I had 2 c-sections. No V-bac or attempt. The reason I am posting is that you should check to see what the policies are of your OB/GYN and hospital you plan to deliver at. My delivering hospital (the only place my OB/GYN would deliver) would not do any V-bacs. I didn't even have the option.

Something to look into if you are serious about attempting it.

Congrats!!!!

Don't get discouraged! Check out ICAN - http://www.ican-online.org/
Tons of resources there to help you plan a VBAC. You can do it!

We are expecting baby #2 in April and are planning VBAC after much discussion with my OBGYN. Here's what I have learned about it:
1. It is safe as long as the reason you had the initial c-section isn't likely to happen again. For us, the umbilical cord was coming "first" meaning that my son would not have had oxygen during the labor/delivery. It had nothing to do with my body's ability to deliver naturally, but is more likely with placenta previa. The first ultrasound shows no previa (we knew that with the 1st), so we're OK.
2. The risk of abruption is less than .01% as long as you go into labor naturally. The incision is low and horizontal now (as opposed to "up-and-down"), so there is little risk of the incision reopening unless they have to induce labor... induction brings on the contractions quickly meaning that the body doesn't get to "warm up" before contracting/pushing.
3. Many doctors won't do it because of their own malpractice insurance constraints, not because it's not safe or because they don't "know how".
4. My doctor has made it clear that VBAC is the plan, but if anything goes wrong, it's not up for discussion anymore!

Good luck!

Congratulations!! :) I'm planning a vbac, too. I hope everything works out for you! :)

Just ask your OB/GYN and see if the hospital you are delivering at, allows it. Some will not allow a VBAC. And some insurance won't cover it.

I had an emergency c-section with my first child.
And then had a planned c-section with my 2nd child.

Ditto to Jill F.

I live in the Houston area and, despite the world-class medical center and care, only approximately a baker's dozen doctors are willing to even attempt a vbac. Only two hospitals that I'm aware of will allow it.

Of those doctors that do, many have restrictions in place that make it impossible (baby weighs no more than 5 or 6 lbs, labor starts no later than 40th week, etc.).

Your area may be more advanced in this area than Houston, but before you get your heart set on anything, check out the feasibility of it.

I'd look into www.ican-online.org about VBACs. VBACs are 80-85% successful, especially if your first cesarean was due to medical interventions stopping up the normal method of labor and birthing.

My first was a cesarean due to failure of induction... I learned the hardway thru a traumatic first birth all the info that was out there that I didn't even know about. Your best bet for a vaginal is with a Midwive, preferably at a Birthing Center or at home.

My 2nd birth was to be a Home Birth VBAC (or HBAC)... after 12 hours of easy laboring at home (up to 7cm, no screaming or thrashing, just rocking and low moans), I stalled at 7cm for another 2-3 hours. Midwive said I should consider transferring to a hospital, which I did, because I was fully aware of my body and how I felt. The baby ended up being almost 11lbs and did not extrude any of the fluid in his lungs like baby's start to do in early labor. His chest circumference was large, as was his head. I ended up with another cesarean - but I was very happy I attempted to have my baby at home vaginally. I had a great back up OB who was also very VBAC encouraging and told me she gave me an incision that should heal very well and she'd allow me to try another HBAC for my next child.

I wish you lots of patience to research and look into many options, not just the one that most people make a beeline too, even when they had horrible first time issues.

I had a VBAC after c-section (9 years apart). Since I had no complications with the c-section, my doc had no problem with a VBAC. Talk to the doc and see what they say. One of the docs in the practice expected me to automatically have another that time but when I told him I wanted to not do a c if possible, he had no problem with it.

I delivered my second by c section b/c I heard it was safer if you have had one the first time around. I was afraid to do vaginal after a c section and am actually glad that I have a small scar instead of stretching and tearing 'below'. The second time around was WAY better than the first just in case you were wondering. ;o)

I am in talks with my OB right now about this very thing. I spoke with the nurse there at my last visit. The OB had an emergency and so I saw the midwife there. I didn't bring it up to her, I want to address it with the doctor. When I spoke to the nurse about it, she said my doc wouldn't do one. She said the hospital where I am set to deliver at wouldn't. Well, that was incorrect because I had a friend who literally just had a VBAC at the same hospital. After reading the other posters I think I have the answer now as to why... malpractice ins. I live in Maryland and there are only a handfull of OB's in the state any more due to the lawsuits and high insurance. It is really sad!
I had a low lying placenta and so I had a scheduled c-sec the 1st time. I know that everything is developing fine this pregnancy however, I have fibroids. Even though they are off to the side, I can almost bet that will be the reason they say I can not have a VBAC.
I wish you luck. Congrats, Take care.